Friday, 25 February 2011

Young guns call the shots in Tucson

OK, so apart from Rory McIlroy's annihilation by Ben Crane on Day 2 at the Accenture World Match Play - the Northern Irishman losing 8&7 and barely making it around two thirds of the course - there is a surprisingly youthful feel to the last 16.
Seventeen-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero is leading the way after a couple of hard fought wins against Steve Stricker and Charl Schwartzel. He's up against experienced Ryder Cup campaigner Luke Donald on Day 3 in an all-European encounter.
Rickie Fowler (22) showed glimpses of his prodigious talent after giving Phil Mickelson a 6&5 wallop on Day 2, while Australian Jason Day (23) knocked out defending champion Paul Casey 4&2.
In fact, our friends at the PGA Tour reliably inform us that half of the remaining field are under 30 years of age. This includes Martin Kaymer (26), who could leap to the top of the world rankings if he makes the final this weekend.
Yet, don't dismiss the older hands too soon. Two-time winner Geoff Ogilvy knows his way around the course, and the likes of Graeme McDowell, Y. E. Yang and Miguel Angel Jimenez are no pushovers. With such an open field it's all to play for.

THE SWEET 16

Rickie Fowler (USA) v Matt Kuchar (USA)
Graeme McDowell (NI) v Y. E. Yang (Kor)
Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) v Bubba Watson (USA)
Jason Day (Aus) v J. B. Holmes (USA)
Nick Watney (USA) v Ryan Moore (USA)
Matteo Manassero (Ita) v Luke Donald (Eng)
Martin Kaymer (Ger) v Hunter Mahan (USA)
Ben Crane (USA) v Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa)

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